My name is Rebecca Vanguard, and I’ve been a sex worker since I was eighteen years old. I started making porn in 2016, and then joined the mainstream adult industry around the end of 2017. I hope to pass down all of the information I have learned here to you. I’ll be covering sex toys and lube, lingerie, stripper gear, and shoes. As a female adult performer of any age, you’re going to need these essentials in your porno suitcase.
Where To Go
First things first: we need to talk about adult stores—sometimes also called sex shops, toy stores, etc.—specifically in “The Valley” in Los Angeles County (most professional adult performers live in Los Angeles or The Valley). As a performer, you’ll need a small collection of sex toys in your arsenal like a jewel butt plug, a dildo, and a vibrator. If you want to be fancy, you can snatch the classic Magic Wand for around $110 US.
I’ve noticed that Romantix in Canoga Park has a large selection and variety of sex toys. Romantix is convenient because they have three locations locally from North Hollywood to Canoga Park. They are a chain with stores across the country and great for models who travel. If you’re already a sex-toy aficionado, I recommend the Adult Warehouse Outlet in Reseda (they also have a location in Panorama City). Their selection of anal toys and lube is unprecedented. Between these locations, you’ll be able to find whatever it is you need for your next scene.
What Toys to Buy
Now that we know where to go and what we are looking for, why should we buy? When it comes to butt plugs, keep it simple! Grab a stainless-steel plug with whatever decoration your heart desires. Most adult stores have lots of cute options, but keep in mind that some are heavier than others. I recommend a HEAVY stainless steel plug to help. The weight of the plug itself, along with gravity, will help you slide it in comfortably.
Now, let’s take a look at the dildos. Skip all the colors and bullshit; that’s for another day and another time. Most importantly, we need silicone, “body-safe” dildos that are flesh-colored. Silicone goes down easily in whichever hole you’re putting it in. I enjoy the ones with bendable “spines” inside, because they follow the path of your vagina/throat.
It is almost impossible to fuck up buying a vibrator, so honestly this one is dealer’s choice. My preference is a waterproof, rechargeable, and body-safe vibrator, because I destroy everything that I love.
Toy-Cleaner/Lube
Next thing on our list is toy-cleaner. You have many options. You can be cheap like me and use Dawn soap, Hibiclens, or any antibacterial hand soap really. Hand soap can be harsh on your silicone toys, but it’s fine for glass and stainless steel. Or you can be a normal person and buy any toy cleaner from the sex store—then you’re already more of a professional than I am!
I used to think buying lube was easy, but it’s not. For starters, it’s best to stick with a thick gel, like a water-based lubricant for vaginal sex, or to use with silicone toys (as opposed to silicone lube, which degrades the quality of silicone toys). Most water-based lubricants are safe and don’t have many ingredients; Astroglide is one of my favorite brands for this reason. Silicone lube is the best for anal. However, I personally keep clear of Swiss Army-brand silicone lube. Their formula includes cloves, which numbs the area. When having any kind of sex—especially anal sex—numbing the area can prevent you from noticing injury right away, should one occur. With some basic research, I was able to find that the most-common silicone lubricant brands don’t include cloves, so don’t worry your sweet little head too much about that.
Lingerie
Buying lingerie for porn is probably the most annoying thing, because I can’t usually shop for what I like; I have to shop for what I am cast for. As a teen we need colors, flowers, and anything that portrays adolescence. MILFs need sultry, dark colors and garter belts. If you happen to fall in the category of neither teen nor MILF, then that means you get to shop for both, so enjoy!
The best adult store to shop at for lingerie is Private Moments in Canoga Park. They’re technically in a strip mall attached to a strip club and pizza place. They have the widest selection of lingerie that I’ve found at a sex shop, plus they have tons of stripper gear, shoes, and toys. If you choose to pick up a toy, make sure it’s body-safe, because I’ve bought toys from there before that we’re safe and ended up being low-quality. Another great location for lingerie is a Touch of Romance in Tarzana. A Touch of Romance has a lot of lace pieces and sometimes more unique outfits that I personally enjoy. There’s also a great selection of shoes and a decent section for toys. Plus, their staff is always friendly when I come in.
Stripper Gear
Last but not least: shopping for stripper clothes. Everyone needs brightly colored stripper bikinis and obnoxious leg wraps for gonzo porn scenes with companies like Evil Angel, but don’t forget the feature-dancing gigs. Pretty much any woman who happens to be a known porn star can be a feature dancer and get paid per-dance by the club. Feature dancing is a great way to earn extra money as a porn star, and you genuinely don’t need a bunch of dancing experience to be successful.
Your first stop will be to go back to Private Moments, because they have pretty much everything you’ll need to become a stripper in LA. Grab yourself at least one pair of tall stripper heels, but make sure they have the ankle strap! They are usually at least $50 or more for a pair, so you only need one pair to start. Pleasers are the go-to brand for shoes, and have become so popular that even women who aren’t strippers wear them.
The basics are a string bikini, a slingshot bikini, and a micro monokini. A string bikini is categorized by its two separate pieces and thin straps used to hold it together. Slingshot bikinis are one piece and form a large V shape that covers both nipples and vagina. The micro monokini is also two pieces, but the main thing that separates it from the typical string bikini is that it’s way harder to put on. A monokini basically looks like a pirate decided to be a stripper, and sewed together three eye patches: one for each nipple, the pussy, and that’s it. The rest is string, and you can find fun, new ways to tie it together. From here, you can buy some cute leg wraps, stockings, fishnets, or a body chain to complete your look. Always stock up on stockings! Keep your eyes peeled for cheap stockings and accessories in costume/party stores.
Having excessive bruising is a big no-no in the adult industry, so consider using pads while dancing (such as kneepads). Make sure to grab a pair of pads that leave the back of the knee exposed, so that your leg is able to grip the pole while dancing. I found some perfect knee pads online at superflyhoney.com for $50 each. If you’re shopping on more of a budget, then there are knee pads on creaturesofxix.co that are only $32 each.
There are also drying lotions you can purchase to apply to your hands, back of the knees, and other places to help your skin grab onto the pole.
When you are at the checkout of any adult store, mention that you’re a member of the adult industry or an exotic dancer to the cashier. Most adult stores give a discount to industry members, and it’s sometimes as much as 30% off. The best way to verify yourself is by showing your social media, a professional scene on a website, or your IAFD profile from your phone. If you are a dancer in Nevada, then be sure to show your Sheriff’s card for a discount as well!
Skincare
I use a wide variety of products to maintain my skin. There are a lot of options for preventing bruising and healing bruises quickly after they have already formed. Preventatively, I use vitamins like B-12, iron, and Arnica pills that can be ingested. To help heal bruises, I soak in Epsom salt and Bragg’s organic apple cider vinegar. If I happen to get a scratch or a gash, then a colloidal oatmeal bath helps tremendously with that. I use colloidal oatmeal from Aveeno. I like their brand as it’s good for sensitive skin. After the bath or shower, I use scar gel with Allantoin 0.5%, Arnica gel, and Aquaphor to soothe my bumps and bruises. A quick tip to help with stubborn body acne on the back, butt cheeks, and legs is to create a mixture of aloe-vera gel and a couple of drops of pure tea-tree oil (good to have on-hand for more than just acne) inside a small, portable compact. Use the mixture as often as you like.
I hope that I was able to save you some time, money, and possible headaches trying to find the essentials for your perfect porno suitcase or set bag. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to DM me on Twitter or Instagram! You can send me your feedback and topics for future articles/research to my DMs on Twitter @rebeccavanguard or Instagram @rebeccavanguardofficial.
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